How Long Does it Take to Record a Demo?
Below we have some detailed schedules from some typical sessions. Have a read through and decide which is most applicable to you and you may get a good idea how long you will need.
This first schedule assumes the band has a drummer, two guitarists, bass player, and a singer, with a few backing vocals from the band and an intention to overdub a few keyboards and sound effects later. They will record everything live and repair when they have a good take from the drummer. The song is four minutes 30 seconds long it takes at least 30 seconds to rewind the tape/stop start machine/draw the waveforms etc therefore every "take" consumes 5 minutes.
Recording a one song demo - description of task |
Time taken (minutes) |
Aggregate time |
Arrive at studio at pre arranged time |
0 |
0.00 |
Load in equipment to studio |
15 |
0.15 |
Set up drum kit guitars and backline in pre arranged positions |
45 |
1.00 |
Engineer mics up drum kit and other instruments |
30 |
1.30 |
Line check drums and get kit sound |
30 |
2.00 |
Get sound on other instruments |
15 |
2.15 |
Ready for a run-through to get monitoring and recording levels correct |
0 |
2.15 |
Do a few run-throughs until everyone is happy |
15 |
2.30 |
Start taking - listen to each take - say the third take is ok but… |
30 |
3.00 |
One of the guitarists wants to do his part again - he does it second take |
20 |
3.20 |
The other guitarist wants to do some overdubs |
20 |
3.40 |
The singer wants to re do his vocals and on third take he gets a good one |
30 |
4.10 |
The backing vocals need to be done say |
30 |
4.40 |
Let’s have a cup of tea (please!!!) |
20 |
5.00 |
We want some keyboards and sound effects putting down lets spend an hour on it |
60 |
6.00 |
Ok, its all recorded lets have 15 minutes to rest our ears and then start mixing it |
15 |
6.15 |
Start mixing Two plays through to check the balance of the drums |
10 |
6.25 |
Two plays through to get effects sorted out on the drums |
10 |
6.35 |
Two plays through to get bass and a rhythm guitars balanced in with effects |
10 |
6.45 |
Two plays through to get the other guitar tracks balanced within the track |
10 |
6.55 |
Two plays through for balancing in the vocals and backing vocals |
10 |
7.05 |
Two plays through for balancing in keyboards and any other fine tuning adjustments |
10 |
7.15 |
Mix ready, bounce down and then play it back to check it. |
10 |
7.25 |
Master the mixes and burn CDs (although by this point our hearing has suffered considerably from working 9 hours straight) |
25 |
7.50 |
Play one back to check if ok |
5 |
7.55 |
We've had two cups of tea and no lunch break, and we have not even talked about whether the takes are any good or not so lets add a contingency |
45 |
8.40 |
Load out (all equipment can be broken down whilst mixing is being done) |
10 |
8.50 |
So does it take 8.5 hours to record one song 4.30 minutes in length? Yes, quite easily, and often much longer. The above set up is a reasonably fast recording session and assuming that the members of the band are at least competent musicians.
Schedule no. 2 assumes that this is one or two people who are going to program using MIDI sequencers, samplers, keyboards, drum machines/modules etc all supplied by the studio. Their intention is to finish one song with a few mix variations including a PA/instrumental mix, and burn two audio CDs. Length of song will be about 4 minutes. There will be a lead vocal, and a three part harmony backing vocal on the chorus which will be double tracked. All the instruments with the exception of some guitar will be programmed using keyboard sounds, drum machines, or samples.
Recording a one song demo with sequencer - description of task |
Time taken (minutes) |
Aggregate time |
|
|
|
Arrive at studio at pre arranged time |
0 |
0.00 |
Load virtual sampler with some basic drum sounds. |
10 |
0.10 |
It is decided to use a drum loop from a sample CD to help create the right feel. Time is therefore taken out to listen to a selection from 4 different CDs at the approx tempo required until one is chosen. This is then copied into the computer and time stretched to the correct tempo and looped accordingly. |
30 |
0.40 |
The arrangement is worked out on the computer |
5 |
0.45 |
The loop selected needs a bass drum adding and a snare drum adding to bolster the feel, this is programmed in for each part of the song. |
15 |
1.00 |
A basic chord sequence is laid down using a rough keyboard sound for each part of the song. |
15 |
1.15 |
With a basic drum and chord sequence written a guide vocal is recorded to help with musical arrangements etc. Let’s say it is done in two takes. This will be replaced later! |
10 |
1.25 |
A bass line has to be written again for each part of the song, the verse takes 10 minutes to work out, as do the choruses and the middle section, with 5 minutes copy and pasting. |
35 |
2.00 |
A guitar part is then required, again for all three parts of the song, this has to be worked out, whilst it is being worked out a sound is sorted out, as with the bass 10 minutes for each section. |
35 |
2.35 |
To help the rhythmical feel it is decided to add some extra percussion sounds, but because it needs to be 'different' it is decided to listen to a selection of weird percussion sounds so time is spent programming this as well as finding the sounds required |
40 |
3.15 |
To increase the musicality some other keyboard sounds are added as an extra accompaniment for example strings, piano, |
35 |
3.50 |
At this point it is decided to do the singing properly. As the choruses are all the same they only need to be sung once, but, the best way to do this is to sing it all through and then pick the best bits out. One run through for level checks and effect settings it is decided to do three takes all through and then make a composite vocal from all three. So sing it three times, then listen to the track say 6 times to establish which part is best, copying and pasting and at this point adding some basic effects and if necessary pitch correction all this takes say an extra 30 minutes or so. |
60 |
4.50 |
With the lead vocal done the backing vocals are then started. This is on the chorus only and would then be copied to the other choruses. It is a three part harmony vocal with each part being double-tracked, it takes about 5 minutes to work out each part and say 5 minutes to record each part therefore 30 minutes recording and with 5 minutes copying. |
35 |
5.25 |
At this point the song is played back to see if there is anything else major to do and at the same time we have a cup of tea!! |
5 |
5.30 |
Whilst listening it is decided that some percussion re-arrangements are necessary to achieve the desired groove another 3 runs through and the desired effect is achieved |
20 |
5.50 |
To make the middle section interesting it is decided to add a sample from another recording, but effected in such a way to make it 'different' First the part has to be found on the recording and then transferred into the sampler, stretched or tuned to the correct key all this takes a good..... |
40 |
6.30 |
To enhance the guitar parts it is decided to double-track them and then as with the vocals pick the best parts, so in effect we repeat the guitar overdub section |
30 |
7.00 |
The track is listened to another couple of times to ensure all parts have been completed ok |
10 |
7.10 |
General programming adjustments are made whilst listening to the track a couple of more times |
10 |
7.20 |
Whilst the recording and programming has been going on the mix is basically being set up, adjustments are made over period of an hour with effects, compression all being dealt with. |
60 |
8.20 |
The mix is bounced down in all the required variations |
40 |
9.00 |
The mixes are 'mastered' basically to ensure that they appear 'loud' on the final CD any extra post production processing is done now and then two CDs are burned |
30 |
9.30 |
SO....How long does it take to record an album?
Let’s call it a rock pop album with a reasonably large budget. We are assuming that the songs are ready and have been demoed so that everyone in the band, in theory, knows their parts. A producer has been employed to work on the album
So let’s say the personnel involved are: the drummer, 2 guitarists, bass player, singer, the producer and the engineer/assistant. There will be session players involved to play keyboards and on one song they have decided to employ a female singer for backing vocals. There are 12 songs to record.
Day 1
The band arrives at the studio in the morning with all their gear. The drum kit has 5 shells. The kit is set up, and the engineer mics it in the usual way. All the tracks are to be played to a click track and the singer will record a guide track. For the purposes of laying down guide tracks the guitars are being fed through a guitar modelling set up and the bass guitar is DI'd. Everything is 'line checked' and now we start to tune up the drum kit. An hour later the heads are changed and tuned up. The producer wants to experiment with microphone placement and compression, the drummer is warms up whilst this is going on.
A take is attempted and a listen, instantly it is decided that the tempo is too slow, so an adjustment is made and another take is done. It is decided that the tempo is right now, but the performance was a little wayward. Take 3 - this one is much better, but there are a few slight issues in the drums (bearing in mind it is only the drum performance we are interested in at this stage). It is decided however that the guides are ok, so the rest of the band can take a break and just leave it to the drummer, producer and engineer. Each take is discussed on its merits and in the end 3 more are done. This brings us to the end of day 1.
Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
We start on working on the drums for the remaining songs. As with the first, each time we must check the tempo, set up a click, get a good take of the guides, and use these guides for subsequent drum takes. By the end of day 2 we have three more songs in the bag. It takes until the end of day 6 to have enough drum takes recorded for all 12 songs. At this stage the drum takes are backed up and moved to the editing station, ready to be edited and have a composite made up of the best takes. The drum kit is left set up just in case it is decided anything is missing or not up to standard.
Composite takes are made from the drums and they are all edited to the desired degree. Once this is competed all the edited songs are played back to make sure there is nothing further to record on the drums.
The bass rig is set up. The bass player has bought in 3 different basses, and two amps, one cab. A microphone is placed in front of the cab and the bass is also DI'd, it is recorded on to two separate tracks. For a couple of hours each guitar is tried and notes made to its 'potential' as are the amps. We also check that the intonation does not need adjusting. The bass is recorded to the edited drums and a little bit of the guide tracks, and any comping/editing is done as we go along in order to give the bassist a break (but not the engineer or producer!) It takes a further 5 days to get all tracks recorded and edited on bass.
Day 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22
We now have a set of 12 fabulous rhythm tracks - tight as a duck's a***. Setting up the guitars is similar to the bass except we have more amps, more mics and more guitars. So most of day 13 is taken up trying out sounds making notes and getting levels, but by early evening we are ready to record the first rhythm guitar track. As with the bass, any timing discrepancies and repairs are done as we go along. Each time the tape stops the tuning is checked!!! Each rhythm guitar part is double-tracked, and as there are two guitarists this can result in a lot of guitar parts in some songs. It takes a further 7 days to finish all 12 tracks.
Days 23, 24
These days are reserved for doing any extra little bits of guitars not already laid down that the singer needs to sing to (any guitar solos will be done later). This covers things like clean guitars and acoustics, plus any extra parts like overdubbed pinched harmonics and feedback effects.
The singer has enough to get started now. A microphone is chosen to suit his voice, compressors are set and we are ready to go. We do a few warm ups to get the monitoring right (recording as we go, just in case he delivers the best take ever straight away) and then record 6 good paying attention the tuning, timing, diction, and performance. Once we believe we have enough takes for the whole song, we will move onto another whilst the singer is still warmed up. We will make up a composite take at the beginning of the following day so that the band can have a lie-in!! We might get 2 or 3 songs done in a day. With time to review and redo any weaker performances at the end, the lead vocals may take a further 6 days.
Day 31, 32, 33, 34
Now it’s time to start recording guitar solos. The sound will probably need to be adjusted for each song. Some of the solos have been written and some of them haven’t, but a solo or a lead guitar part of some kind is required in all 12 of the songs. With time for writing, recording, comping, editing, and harmonising where necessary, we might get 3 done in a day.
Days 35, 36
Some of the songs require keyboards. As none of the band really play, a session player is roped in. He has not heard the songs before, so each song is dealt with separately. We only have him for the day, so it is a case of: learn the song - then record loads and loads of different takes. By recording the audio as well as MIDI, we can use the sound from his keyboards or use a different sound if we desire later on. Going through the takes and editing them takes a further day.
At this stage we begin recording the band’s backing vocals. These have for the most part been worked out beforehand, but the harmonies still need to be scrutinised. Each part is tracked up at least 4 times. We will perhaps get only 2 songs done in a day.
Day 43
One song requires a female backing vocal and again we have her for the day. She has heard a demo and is reasonably familiar with the track so for half a day she is singing the parts that she knows what to do on the one song. It is also decided to try her out on another song, so she has to learn it and for the rest of the day sings this other song. As with the lead vocals a few takes are done and the best bits picked out.
Day 44, 45, 46, 47
The recording is nearly done now, it is time for those little extra bits of magic, little guitar overdubs, extra bits of percussion, special effects etc. This is always far more time-consuming than you would expect. Maybe we would get 3 songs done per day.
Don't hide Mark! It's not that bad!
Days 48, 49, 50, 51, 52
Here we will add some contingency time, as these things do happen:
Guitar solos can be fraught with danger - 16 hours for one guitar solo over two days
The producer decides that one of the songs is in the wrong key after an attempt to sing it makes it patently obvious, so lose two days to re record the bass and guitars
God forbid if at this stage they decide the tempo is wrong, because at this stage we are back to re-doing drums.
Comping one of the vocals brings the fact that some lines needs to be re sung, take half a day getting back the 'voice' and getting that one line right etc and so on
We have now spent seven and a half weeks recording a hit album now let’s mix it!!
Day 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64
Setting up for the mix, we are going to spend the day listening to production references, noting ideas and potential difficulties, and setting up a basic sound on the first song. We also need to think about things like track order and transitional links between tracks. We’re setting up the mixes virtually in the computer, the idea being that we can recall them precisely at any time. We mix perhaps one track per day. Once we have our first mixes of all 12 tracks everyone involved takes away a CD to listen and make notes.
Day 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70
Everyone’s notes are compared, differences are discussed and compromises made. Adjustments are made to the mixes as necessary, getting 2 tracks done in a day.
Day 71
This is taken up by mastering and checking the mixes. Any issues raised at this point will of course add more time. Plus any further mix variations, like instrumentals and live backing tracks will take more time still.
This is just one example. The actual time taken to record an album will obviously vary drastically depending on the style of material being recorded, the band’s line-up, the sort of sound desired etc. Professional acts will often spend many months mixing and tweaking mixes, or a whole day experimenting with a single sound. Read this SOS article if you don’t believe us!! We have, in the past, taken 10 years to record an album, four days continuous mixing one pop/rock song, two days just to record a lead vocal, two days to record a 16 bar guitar solo with a harmony, 12 hours to record one bass line to one song, 8 hours to compile one good vocal take out of 8 different takes, and 12 hours editing all instruments of a single track into time with each other.